: Saudis Open Tap Of Freedom - And Can’t Turn It Off

Saudi Arabia can be a cautious country sometimes. Just last week, they turned back a shipload of 60,000 Australian sheep for fear that a few of them might be diseased. With that same sense of caution, the Saudi government will be following some of their neighbors in holding elections (albeit limited, municipal ones) for the first time. Pressure from both Western-educated royals and ordinary citizens pushed the decision forward. “Our leaders are not experimenters, they are only seeking to do what is the wish of the Saudi citizen,” said Prince Saud al-Faisal on the upcoming vote, which would elect councils in 14 cities. “We have reached the stage of development where the participation of the citizens of Saudi Arabia is a requirement now.” It’s quite a change for the desert kingdom, which also took a chance in allowing a human rights conference in Riyadh to proceed – probably thinking that Saudis would lay off criticizing the government in gratitude. That was not to be, as the conference was accompanied by a rare demonstration that ended in police gunfire and 50 arrests, as well as calls by reformists to expand the scope of future elections. Some feel that expanded democracy is essential to curb militancy and give channels (other than violence) for people to express political will. “We need [a] separation of powers, a parliament, and civil, economic and social rights of citizens,” said Abdullah al-Hamed, a reformist who was jailed for signing a reform petition in 1990. Looks like Saudis aren’t going to be sheep anymore.

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.